Ohio State University-Main Campus Top Questions

Besides the typical "book smarts" I have gained, I have also learned a lot more about people and how they work. I have learned how to live with four girls without conflict. I know how to manage my time better, and how to prioritize things. These things [how to manage time/commitments, avoid conflict, etc] are traits one needs before going out into the "real world", and it's important to have these skills beforehand as opposed to trying to learn them as you go.

What I have gained from my college experience seems obvious. I have received a Bachelors degree. As I thought about this I wondered if a plaque on my wall was all I had to represent the four years in between high school graduation and my college diploma. Looking back on those years words such as opportunity, travel, exploration, and growth come to mind. These words describe the most valuable aspect of my education: progress. It?s not just any progress it?s progress towards a prosperous future. Good progress. I have a degree from an exceptional institution, a job with advancement opportunities, and experience working under a few extraordinary professors but that?s not it. I have the courage to go after what I?ve always wanted and the confidence to know I can achieve these things. I am the representation of those four years. Furthering our education allows us all to feel a sense of empowerment and success as we try and fail over again until, often with the help of the college community around us we succeed. My college experience has not only allowed me to progress in life but progress as a person and that?s invaluable.

College has given me a sense of self that I hadn't realized was missing. High school was an emotional struggle, I seemed incapable of connecting with my peers. When I was looking into colleges, I had two simple criteria: that there be a wide range of programs so that that I could explore many areas of study; and that it was at least two states away. That's how I ended up in Columbus, Ohio from Baltimore, Maryland. It's a very different world, a world far from my family and the people that I grew up with. For most people, being 17 and that far away from your comfort zone would be daunting in its own right, for me, it's exhilarating. I love my mother, but gaining independence makes me a better "me." I've made true bonds since I arrived here just about six months ago. I'm realizing my strengths and limitations, and that I'm human and need more help than I could have known before. Nobody coddles you in college, and they don't offer help you didn't ask for. So I ask, and I ask often.

I have gotten so much college experience just being at Ohio State for just one year! I absolutely love the campus and how helpful the teachers are if you ever have a problem, or even if you are struggling with the homework and could use some extra help on it. My experience in college has shown me how to appreciate my mom and dad for the support of going to college. Our country is going through some hard economic times and it can make things like going to college tough to do because no one can afford it. It has been valuable in a way that I hope that my eleven year old brother and my six year old sister look up to me and hopefully some day follow in my footsteps in furthering their own education beyond just getting their high school diploma years from now. I just want to tell people that it is possible to go to school with or without the support of your parent if you just set your heart and soul to it. There are so many opportunities out there if you just go out and look for them!

Every student has some kind of idea of what to expect when attending a college. I haven't personaly started my college so im not able to explain what i have learned out of my experience, but i will tell u what i belive will be so valuable in attending San Quaquin Valley College. The most important factor that i personaly like is the way the school teaches the students. Most school are all about class and when we graduate we aren't familier with the real world. San Quaquin Valley College teaches 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} in class and 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} hands on training with real people, real situations. When i graduate, i will feel that i have what it takes to start right away, i won't be scared because across from me i have a real person and not a doll, that im suppose to give an injection too.

So far in my college experience, I have reaped more benefits than I initially thought possible. Not only am I part of the Humanities Scholars Program, a member of two soccer teams (for one of which I will be named captain next quarter), part of a leadership initiative called Leadership Ohio State, participating in community service, maintaining a 3.91 overall GPA, meeting great friends, and working as hard as I possibly can in everything that I do, but I am also scoping out invaluable connections that will hopefully help me land a future job. Ever since I was in the seventh grade, I have wanted to serve our nation and become a part of the Central Intelligence Agency. I am doing everything in my power right now to make this dream a reality, including pursuing a major in International Studies with a specialization in Security and Intelligence, while simultaneously taking numerous classes in Spanish and Chinese languages and cultures. Although these classes are vigorous and require extreme commitment (I study Chinese for 3-4 hours daily), I find the challenge to be more motivating than intimidating. And Ohio State is helping to guide me along a path to success.

Unlike many other college students who when to college to get out of the house, or because their parents pressured them to go, I had a goal. I am from West Africa (Togo). Being from a minuscul country, there are not many opportunities. I grew up with my mother, my grandparents, 2 uncles and their wives in a two bedroom house. I was determined to be rich in my adult years. Of course at age nine, I really didn't know the full meaning of my ideas but as I grew older they became clear and simple. Education is the key to riches. When I moved to the U.S. at age 14 with my mom, I set out to conquer my dream of riches by enrolling into high school from then, I thrived. After high school my next step was college. I went to college to achieve a dream. A dream that was not only for me but for a hole nation. Out of my college experience I leaned to deal with different group of people. Sure in high school, you have people from different neighborhood but college takes you all over the world. It is an unforgetable experience.

I have gained alot of knowledge when attending this university. I have new insight into other cultures, beliefs, religions, etc. This diversity at this unoversity has allowed me to become so much more well-rounded as an individual. I feel like I am a special part of this universtiy and look forward to going to class everyday.

I am so glad for the experiences I have had at Ohio State so far. I am in the middle of my first year, and I am very happy with the decision I have made. I have met so many different people that I would never have met if I never left my hometown. I love the diversity here- there is always someone who is different from you, and that makes them invaluable in learning about yourself and others. You are also bound to find someone who has much in common with you, which is also a good thing. I have also learned to become more independent and responsible. Classes can be tough, but the professors know how to challenge you and make sure you learn a larger lesson than just basic facts. My experience here has been so valuable to me because it has allowed me to meet some people who will likely prove to be great friends throughout my years here and beyond. I have also grown as a person, and am taking the steps to become a successful and independent person once I have earned my degree. I have learned so much in such a short time!

Coming to college was nothing at all like I thought it would be; I believed that it would be filled wholly with the woes of deadlines and the frustrations of homework without end, but I was only half right. Most students arrive at college, apprehensive and thrilled to meet new people and to ?find themselves.? I found some of the best friends I hope to keep for the rest of my life, as well as my second home. At convocation, at the beginning of my first year away from home, President Gee told us all that we would one day call this place home, but I couldn?t believe it. Now I realize that other than the house in which I live with my family, this university has taken root in my heart, and the people around me have become the extended family for which I have always wished. Not only will I forever carry with me the hours of grappling with challenging problems, but also, I will always keep the memories and the friends that Ohio State has granted me.